Discover Nature's Playground - 10 Best National Parks in Oregon

Oregon is a popular adventure travel destination in US. The state is blessed with natural wonders, such as gorges, rivers, lakes, mountains, and forests. The best state parks Oregon Coast provide popular scenic trek opportunities for travellers to the US. Let us explore the 10 best national park in the US.

Crater Lake National Park Oregon

Crater Lake National Park in western Oregon is known for having one of the deepest, clearest lakes in the world. It is the best national park in Oregon. The erupting of Mount Mazama volcano formed Crater Lake. Mount Mazama collapsed after erupting, creating a crater that was more than 1,200 metres deep, 8 kilometres north to south, and 10 kilometres east to west. Eventually, the crater filled with rain and snowmelt. Amazing views of the volcanic formations are available via boat trips. While hiking the forests, look for porcupines, bears, elks, and coyotes. Stay the night at either Mazama Campground or Lost Creek Campground.

Valley of the Rogue River State Park

Rogue River in the southwest of the state, is famous for its rugged scenery and wild rapids. Visitors can explore the Rogue State Park by raft or on foot. Fishing for chinook and coho salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout is popular scenic trek on the Rogue. The park offers a nature trail, a campground, and river access for boating and fishing.

Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve

The National Monument and Preserve within the Siskiyou Mountains is a national park that protects two habitats. There is a forest above the ground and a cave beneath known as Oregon's Marble Halls. See the stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and flowstones that comprise the cave by taking a tour of the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. Drive through the area to see the black tailed deer, mountain beavers, chipmunks, black bears, mountain lions, and pacific giant salamanders.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park honours the expeditions of the two men who travelled across the United States. Kayaking, hiking, animal watching, and fishing are all popular activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the Fort Clatstop and a visitors centre with displays and artefacts from the expedition of William Clark and Meriwether Lewis.

Ecola State Park

The public has access to beaches along Oregon's 363 miles of coastline, which stretches from the Washington state boundary to south to California. The 425-mile Oregon Coast Trail winds up and over headlands and around inlets, making it an ideal hiking route for beachcombers. Along the coast are numerous state parks and recreation areas that are home to sea stacks, tide pools, seal rookeries, and lighthouses. Ecola State Park is one of the jewels in the coastal park system. Tillamook Head, which provides breathtaking views of the entire coast, is encircled by a nine-mile stretch of coastline. The beaches are surrounded by a number of granite sea stacks, one of which is the Haystack Rock, a well-known landmark for sailors and tourists.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

The Columbia River Gorge is a 1,200-meter gorge that separates Oregon from Washington. The 80-mile Columbia River Gorge is a haven for nature lovers. The Multnomah Falls (186 meters high), the second-highest waterfall in North America, is located about 30 miles east of Portland. There are breweries, wineries, and orchards in the neighbourhood. The gorge is an outdoor playground for mountain biking and hiking paths. Discover wildlife by following the paths and looking for bobcats, black bears, deer, garter snakes, and California ground squirrels. In the Columbia River, spend a day canoeing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, jet skiing, rafting, fishing, and catamaran sailing.

Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park is famous for magnificent waterfalls. The Silver Falls, spread more than nine thousand acres, is located in the Williamette Valley. This state park includes horse trails, bike trails, and walking trails. Visit the 177 foot South Falls in the iconic Trail of Ten Falls. Visitors to the park can participate in outdoor activities like, mountain biking, hiking, and horse riding. See the wildlife like black bears, cougars, beavers, squirrels, and chipmunks that inhabit the remote areas of Silver Falls. Stay overnight at a campsite for a different kind of experience.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

The coast of Oregon is rocky and rugged. The 40-mile stretch of coastline between the Coos and Siuslaw rivers is home to North America's greatest area of coastal dunes. The dunes rise up to 150 metres above sea level, making for great hiking, whale viewing, horseback riding, and off-road driving. At the Creek Elk Viewing Area, you can observe bobcats, black-tailed deer, bald eagles, elks, and ospreys. Camping is accessible at numerous locations along the Siltcoos River. Go to the Umpqua Lighthouse Area to witness the yardangs (sand formations).

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America. Visitors can enjoy camping and hiking in the recreation area surrounding the canyon. You can go swimming, fishing, kayaking in the Snake River. Hells Canyon is home to bighorn sheeps, mountain elks, goats, and deers. Cougars, black bears, and wolves reside in the remote areas of Hells Canyon.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

The brilliantly coloured hills of John Day are breathtaking. Hidden beneath the sweeping red countryside lies one of the world's richest Cenozoic fossil beds. Around 30 million years ago, rhinos, camels, giant ground sloths, and sabre-toothed cats roamed a lush meadow before being buried by a series of volcanic explosions. The monument is divided into three sections - the Painted Hills, Sheep Rock, and Clarno. Visitors can explore the fossil museum at the Thomas Condon Palaeontology Centre, which includes educational exhibits. You can see a film about the region's geology, history, and fossils.

Explore the National Parks of Oregon to understand why the Beaver State is an outdoor playground for adventure enthusiasts.